Panty girdle construction



April 1, 1952 B. GROLITZER 2,591,423

PANTY GIRDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 51, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET l BEATRICE GPOL/TZEP,

INVENTOR.

HUEBNEE, BEEHLE/RWOPREL. HERZ/G d'CALDWELL, ATTORNEYS.

April 1, 1952 B. GROLITZER PANTY GIRDLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 31, 1949 5'0 Z465 CI 33 65 x 54 55 a 35 55 a4 .5 k1 L 48 42 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 L ant-"g. 0'.

f o 43 j 3 53 54 BEATRICE GPOLITZEP,

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS.

BV/WMWW Patented Apr. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PANTY GIRDLE CONSTRUCTION Beatrice Grolitzer, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application January 31, 1949, Serial No. 73,794

a This invention relates to girdles, and more particularly to a girdle of combined rubber and fabric having a one-way horizontal stretch and incorporating features of improved design construction and utility.

Prior art girdles which stretch universally in all directions are put on and taken off only with difficulty so that the wearer has figuratively to fight her way into and out of them. Moreover, the skin is placed in constant tension in all directions, particularly downwardly at the waistline if rolls of skin or fat are to be prevented from forming at the upper edge of the girdle. In addition, the crotch area is frequently kept under constant tension in such a-manner that folds form therein, resulting in discomfort and nonsanitation.

In addition, girdles of the prior art are general- 1y integral with the crotch portion so that they must be washed as a unit, or such removable crotch portions as are suggested sacrifice appearance to utility or vice versa.

The instant construction and invention has among its objects the provision of a new and improved one-Way, i. e., horizontal, stretchable construction in which no vertical stretchability is permitted and in which a new and improved crotch construction is provided permitting removal and replacement of the crotch area and/or of parts associated therewith.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a girdle of new and improved seam and garter construction.

Another further object of the invention is the provision of healthful support for the lower torso, for the abdomen, and for the organs contained therein.

Another further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved girdle construction of the desired character described which holds a desired convexity of shape in the crotch.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of new and improved girdle construction affording uniform, one-way stretchability entirely therearound associated with an optionally integral, totally removable or partially removable crotch as through provision of a liner therefor. I

Another still further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved waist construction for preventing formation of lumps or rolls of skin or fat thereat.

The invention also has among its objects the provision of improvement in design and specific construction over prior art girdles heretofore in- 4 Claims.

tended to accomplish generally similar purposes.

With these andother objects in view, the invention consists in the construction, arr-angement and combination of the various parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in the appended claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a perspective view of a girdle embodying this invention as worn.

, Figure 2 is a front view thereof, garter portions being removed, and the garment being folded fiat, front to back.-

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of stitching and associated construction at the top side edge of the garment.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic sectional view taken as on a line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 4a. is a fragmentary diagrammatic sectional view showing the construction of the fabric used in this invention.

Figure 5 is a vertical diagrammatic sectional view taken as on a line 5-5 of Figure 2.

Figure 6 is a plan or pattern view of the garment of the preceding figures viewed from the inner side.

Figure 7 is a horizontal diagrammatic sectional view taken as on a line 7-1 of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a vertical diagrammatic sectional view taken as on a line 8-8 of Figure 2,

Figure 9 is a front flat folded view similar to Figure 2 but showing a. modified girdle and crotch construction embodying this invention.

Figure 10 is a vertical sectional view taken as 0 on a line lll-| ll of Figure 9.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, there is illustrated by way of example, but not of limitation, a girdle generally designated by the numeral 20 provided (Figurel) with garter straps 2| and 22 which may be removably hung in short garter-supporting loops 23 and 24 in the front and rear leg areas formed by a front panel 25 and a rear panel 26, cf. Figure 6. a

The back panel 26 is preferably formed as by a downwardly turned edge 28 having a slight curve downwardly towards the center thereof and with inwardly turned marginal edges or folds 29 and 30 flaring outwardly slightly at their upper portions 3|, then curving and flaring outwardly at a slightly greater angle at their lower portion 32. The bottom edge of the rear panel curves inwardly and downwardly as at 33, then curves downwardly in a harmonious and continuous curve 34 to form the sides 35 of the crotch 36.

In order to form the front panel, which is continuous with the back panel through the crotch, the edges of the latter curve outwardly as at 31, thence upwardly as at 38. The edge 40 and 4| of the front panel 25 are likewise folded inwardly and in a similar manner to the rear panel 26. Said edges have a lowermost curve downwardly as at 42 which, at a point 44 spaced downwardly from the upper marginal edge or waistline 60, flares outwardly to a somewhat lesser extent defining upper edges 45 which, while not sensibly parallel, yet flare to a considerably less extent than the lower marginal edge portions 32 and 42 of the rear and front panels 26 and 25, respectively.

The loops 23 and 24 may be sewn at suitable points along the bottom edges of the front and rear panel as and if desired. They mayalso be secured in place by the same rows of stitching by which the edges of the front and rear panels are held in folded-back relationship.

A crotch liner 48 of preferably, though not necessarily, rectangular construction may be formed of any suitable absorbent cloth material, andisreleasably securable across the inside of the crotch 36 by a suitable securement such as snap fasteners 50, one portion 5| of which may in and also to prevent contact of the body of, the

wearer with the fasteners 5E. The pocket thus formedwithin the liner may be utilized for the introduction of an'absorbent cloth or waste to increase the absorptive properties of the liner and said waste, or said pocket without said waste may be used as for containing a deodorant, sachet, perfume, or the like. If desired, the liner itself may comprise a sachet bag which is replaceable or disposable. In any event, it is preferable that the marginal edges of the liner except at the end 55 comprise a fold or line of stitching to form the desired pocket, cf. stitching 5'! (Figure 7).

In the embodiment of this invention under discussion (Figures 'lfthrough 8), the front and back panels and the crotch being formed of a single continuous piece of material, are united along a line of crossor catch-stitching 58 thereby holding the adjacent edges 29 and 40, and 30 and 4|, of the rear and front panels, respectively, in abutting, slightly yieldable relationship.

The edges heretofore describedare preferably folded'back for at least half an inch completely around the garment andat its side edges where they are likewise secured by similar. rows of cross-stitching 59.

V The upper edge 60 of the garment, while preferably not folded down to any greater extent than the other edges, may be given any number of rows of additional reinforcing or cross-stitching 6| provided that the same does not materially interfere with the horizontal, one-way stretchability of the fabric. The same reinforcing or ornamental stitching 52 may additionally be provided around the leg openings 63.

Said leg openings, as may be seen most clearly from a reference to Figure 2 or 6, provide suilicient clearance to prevent interference with le motion due to the cut-away shape formed'by the edges 37 and 38. The downwardly curved edges 33 in the back panel 26 define relatively downwardly depending areas 55 designed to encompass and support the buttocks.

The material of which the girdle is made preferably comprises vertically disposed non-elastic threads 66, such as rayon, and horizontally disposed elastic threads comprisin a material such as Lastex BI interwoven with the vertical threads 66. Said threads 6t in the middle area of the girdle extend continuously from the upper edge 23 of the rear panel to the upper edge 43 of the front panel and pass through the crotch area preferably without interference. The girdle is therefore firm and supportive in a vertical direction at the front and back of the wearer. The

exclusive horizontal elasticity of the garment supports the organs, particularly in the abdominal area, and also firms and molds them, not directly inwardly so as to press upon them unduly but more in the manner of a hammock of resilient nature the ends of which are relatively non-mov ing at the sides of the girdle and the central portions of which at the front and back of the girdle, particularly at the front, are relatively free formed more parallel than the lower edges 32,

thereby more readily accommodating the upper portion of the body over which the garment fits.

The-folded-over edge 69 at the top of the garment is, moreover, devoid of elastic or other conflicting material other than the fabric of which the garment is made, giving said edge an easy pliability andfiexibility whereby the garment and the body; of the wearer taper off relative to one another.

It is important to note that the vertical firmness of the garment and absence of vertical stretch therein, assisted by the downward curvature of the upper edge 28 of thebackpanel and the buttocks-supporting portion 65, provides maximum support when the wearer isbending forward as in sitting and so tends to stretch with the muscles in the buttocks. It is thus found that the girdle need not increase its vertical length at the rear when the wearer bends or sits, as occurs where two-way stretches or any other construction which includes a vertical stretch are provided. r

A vertical stretch increases the tendency of the garment to creep, particularly downwardly, or in any event to become uncomfortable as by differential stretching of-the garment vertically over the area ofgreatest'stretch of the gluteus-muscles inparticular, the garment then failing to return, to an original, unstretched position because of the frictional engagement thereof with the" body;

In the instant garment the lack of vertical stretch firms the buttocks area and holds the contour thereof. Thereby, uncomfortable tension is avoided. No increased vertical length is found necessary in the area of the buttocks between standing and sitting because the total bulk of'the muscles involved does not increase in transition from one posture to another butsuch muscles merely alter their shape. Consequently, as stated, greater vertical external dimensions in the garment are neither required nor desirable in differing postures Longitudinal or hammock-like support albeit resilient is more preferable from the standpoint, not only of esthetics, but also of health and comfort.

Similar considerations of stretchability and support as opposed to undesirable localized tension apply even more forcibly in the case of the abdominal area and its more vulnerable exposed organs.

In the crotch area in particular, the advantage of the instant construction as associated with front to back non-stretchability, coupledwith lateral stretchability, is evident. Here it has been found that by the instant construction no fold is formed in the crotch area. Rather a uniform firmness and broad support is obtained from front to back. Easy flexibility of the crotch from side to side causes the upward curling apparently through slight relative shortening or tensioning of the marginal edges 35 of the crotch which encircle and support the labial area with a desired convexity of structure. When the crotch is made relatively Wide, i. e., wider than the distance between the legs of the wearer, the crotch is thereby squeezed laterally and the tendency of the edges 35 to curve slightly upwardly is increased.

In the embodiment of Figures 9 and 10, the main body of the garment may be formed as heretofore described in connection with Figures 1 through 8, and accordingly corresponding parts of Figures 9 and are designated by like numerals.

In the instant embodiment, however, a removable crotch portion IEIIl preferably formed of a similar optionally doubled portion of the same type of material from which the main body of the garment is made is releasably secured as by snap fasteners IIlI adjacent the central bottom edge I02 of the front panel 25 and along a preferably curved edge I03 of the back panel 25. The elastic fibers of said crotch run transversely thereof and the non-stretchable fibers run from front to back as in said preferred embodiment.

The relatively broad area of securement of the crotch I00 to the front and back panels thus obtained, provides widely spaced points of support for the crotch and prevents longitudinal creasing and folding thereof in the generally unsanitary and uncomfortable manner avoided by the con struction heretofore discussed. The edges IE5 and I06 at the rear and forward portions of the crotch I00 preferably merge with the edges 33 and 38 surrounding the leg openings I08 thereby providing uniform and uninterrupted support.

Some of the snaps IGI are placed sufiiciently close to the edges of the garment. i. e., in the folded marginal area thereof, to give maximum support and continuity to such edges.

The crotch I00 lies flat and is not bulky comprising as it does a mere continuation of the line and general structure of the garment, but while the configuration of the garment remains unaltered, the purpose of such an appropriately shaped and constructed crotch which is readily replaceable or removable for washing or the like, becomes readily apparent and contributes to convenience, saves the efiort of washing and removing the garment and, like the replaceable liner of the previous embodiment, contributes to health and cleanliness. If desired, one or more edges of the crotch I00 may be open as through one or zontally completely around the girdle.

between its walls H0 and III so that the same may be utilized for a similar purpose to the pocket of said liner 48.

By reference to the embodiments shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 9, respectively, it will be seen that an important characterization of the instant invention is that inelastic elements extend substantially continuously in a vertical medial front-t0- back plane from the upper edge of the front panel to the upper edge of the back panel, and through the crotch portion. As will be clearly seen in the Fig. 9 embodiment, such continuity of inelastic elements does'notrequir that the inelastic elements must necessarily be integral from one edge to the other, but simply that there is no substantial gap in the inelasticity where elastic elements are present. For example, in Fig. 9 the crotch portion I00 is removable from the remainder of the girdle. Nevertheless, with the crotch in place, there is continuity of inelasticity proceeding along the girdle in a longitudinal medial plane from the upper edge of the front panel to the upper edge of the back panel.

In a similar vein, elastic elements extend substantially continuously and horizontally around the girdle, even though such elements may lack integration. Referring for example to Fig. 1, it is seen that there are vertical seams 58 at each side of the girdle, which unite the elastic horizontal elements. Thus, while there is no single horizontal element which extends unbroken around the girdle, there is nevertheless, continuity of elasticity without substantial gap where there are inelastic portions, such elasticity extending hori- This is the structure intended and contemplated by the use of the term continuously as applied to the elastic and inelastic elements and as used in the specification and claims hereof.

It is intended by the instant construction to permit optional elimination of sundry means and auxiliaries for fastenin the girdle to the person such as by conventional zippers, hooks and eyes, or the like. Also, it is intended to eliminate stays and other armor as well as to obviate the use of patches and panels by an appropriate construction circumventing the need therefor.

Thus, the top of the girdle by the instant construction gives readily in a more or less outwardly flaring manner along the area at and immediately below the top edge, thereby holding the upper and fatty organs and tissues as in the manner of a horn of plenty tapering off the upper body portion and eliminating bulge. The downward taper at the back top edge of the garment likewise provides a slight bias which eliminates severe tension across the corresponding part of the body to assist such body contouring. Stays, as heretofore used to extend upwardly beyond the area marked by the upper marginal edge of the instant garment and which restricted bending movement and collided with upper organs during such movement, are rendered obsolete.

Appropriate fitting of the garment around the leg areas, especially at the margins 34 and 31 at each end of the crotch, is achieved by cutting of the girdle material more or less on a bias. Unusual resilience and flexibility thereat is achieved without marking or cutting into the body at these points.

In paneling some garments of conventional construction or otherwise composing them of patches, stretchability and support is lost. Such panels tend to arrest each others movement. Restriction of movement of each panel occurs along its margin and local stresses are built up steam causing: tearing; of? the" garment l and. resultant i' abrasion of I the skim Where it is desired to bringth'e .frontiedgeg,

of the garment. at the "legopeningz'down :.sub'--. stantially t'o permit covera'ge of the''- upper outer.

thigh; this may lie-done: IILSUCII Ca'SQ17116613013011;

whether removable or not,- may be connected to.

the' main body of the garment as along an arc"! extending substantially. upwardly above theedges-t as 38': thereby providing adequate: fullness and increased circumferentialdimensions to accom-v modate the hips andupper'thigh. Moreover, .to provide material coverage: at theouter hips; said edges 38 'may extendoutwardlysubstantiallyhori= zontally :and may: be: extended downwardly. coin cid'ent with-the lowerwedge 33 of the: back: panel which. latter: may .likewiseiextend substantially horizontally outwardly rather than upwardly: and outwardly as illustrated. 1.

This invention features an improved construc tion.;.for girdles. embodyingonly. 'a' horizontalstretch. and .no:.ver.tical stretch: which-provides a maximum'supportto the:organsand' tissues of the bodyxwith a minimum" or surface distortion andJocalizedstresses, which,"moreover; minimizes formationtof rolls 70f fat' or bulges at-its upper edgezandwhich provides a new and-improved optionally totally removable crotch construction;

Although the invention has been herein shown 7 and-describedin what'is conceived tobe the most practical: and preferred embodiment, it is rec'oge nized that departures may-"be: made therefrom.

within the" scope of the invention; whichis not to be limited to the: details .disclosedherein' but is to be accordedthefull scopeof theclaims'so,

as to embrace any and all'equivalent structures;

Theinvention havingibeen herein described, whatI claimas new andsdesireto'secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Agirdlecomprising a front panel,.a back I panel, and. a crotch portionsjoined with'and ex-' tending between the bottom edgesof'said panels,

said panelsibeing formedof inelastic elements ex-'- tending} vertically and -.elastic:elements extending horizontally, the crotch portion being; formed of:

inelastic. element'sxextending' from front toback V and: elastic; "elements-"iextending. continuouslytransversely thereac'ross, whereby inelasticelements extend substantially continuously'in a' ver-' ticaLmediaI, front-to-back plane from the upper edge: of 'th'e front panel to the upper edge oftheback-paneland through the crotch portion, and

elastic elements extend substantially continuously and horizontallyaround the girdle;

2. A girdle as described in claim 1 whereinsaidpanelsandcrotch portionsa're made integral from a single piece of materia1,-with the back and front panels being joined by vertical seams at each side of thegirdle.

3L A girdle as-described in claim 1 wherein said crotch. portionis made of a piece of material separate-from said panels-and wherein the'ends'of the'crot ch-portion are secured to the bottom edges 1 of said panels at spaced points, whereby the horizontal-elasticity-of'the panelsand the trans verse elasticity of 'the'crotch portion are retained at the juncture between crotch portion and panels. 4. A girdle as described in claim 1 wherein the spaced-point securement betweenpanels and crotch portions comprises quick detachable securing means;

BEATRICE GROLITZER.

REFERENCES" CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Date 

